Hypothyroidism and "appearing pregnant"

[mizkeesha]

Has anyone had the issue of being bloated, swollen, and looking pregnant? I am experiencing most of the issues that I have read on this board, but I also have a very bloated stomach. Has anyone else had this issue and how did you deal with it?

[alfonsina]

I went gluten free for about three weeks and really mess up my lab results and I had lots of palpitations. I probably  needed less medicine. I would make sure before starting any gluten free diet to talk to your doctor and see if after some time you need to adjust your thyroid medicine dose.

I lost some pounds and felt overall better but I got scared when palpitations and axiety astarted. I do not want to change my dose, because I am still adjusting so I decided I would reduce my gluten intake but I did not eliminate it at all.

To reduce bloating what I do is try not to eat too much at once- moderation- stop eating after 7 pm, not to eat too often, and do not combine fruits with a meal. I eat fruits after two hours I have had lunch per example.

That woks for me- might not work for others- while I am waiting for my dose to kick in and finally feel normal again.

[stranazingarella]

Get checked for Celiac's.

[cyn549]

This is the best answer i have gotten after many doctors and hours researching online. I now look 6 months pregnant and feel relieved to hear something similar to mine. Hypo thyroid and taking Levo.

[Super_sally888]

Hi,

Yes.  Gluten is a huge belly bloater for me too.  Also stops me losing weight when 'dieting and exercising', and helps me retain water.

Don't recommend avoiding food groups if you can't see a difference, but definitely worth a good trial.

[magpieannie]

get off the gluten and I bet that belly goes down!- My 9 yer old daughter has no thyroid gland-born that way. Belly was always bloated, No gluten since January and wow what a difference!

[Smilerdeb]

It is mainly fluid from being hypo.
Try celery capsules...I found they worked good and also got rid of a lot of the fluid.
Also as I said...until your levels balnce out a bit and the TSH comes down...the belly will be bloated.
Strange as it sounds.....I also found drinking water was a good diuretic.

[Galsal59]

OMG...this does not make me feel any better.  I feel like that myself, the belly part.  I do at least 30 mins of cardio almost daily and three times a week do strength training also.  I watch the calories and that I am getting enough protein.

Although I'm not losing any bit of weight, my hips and thighs have both gone down two inches and other areas that are not the abdomen are toning up.  However...the belly and waist area has increased!  The trainer is like, man your metabolism is so messed up...you've gone reverse what all your effort should have done in terms of the stomach area.

[Smilerdeb]

I have Graves and when I went for RAI , the nurse asked me " Are you sure your NOT pregnant!???"
I looked at her and laughed and said ..."All thyroid belly Hun....all thyroid belly lol"
Yes its a common thing but as your TSH comes down and yr levels stabilise...the thyroid belly will disappear.
Mine did...although I am 50 and do have a bit of the middle age 'spread' hehehehe